Handicapping the Emmy Award Nominations: Another Round for Team Conan & the Gleeks!

The first step was made towards television’s biggest night, as the 2010 Emmy Award nominations were announced this morning. I’m not really knowledgeable enough to be able to call whether the right folks were picked-at least for the drama categories. I do know that “Breaking Bad”, “Made Men” and “True Blood” are all highly-regarded shows, so I would assume that they deserve their nominations. It’s always nice to see Mariska Hargitay get nominated for her work as Olivia Benson on “Law & Order”, and also good to see Andre Braugher get props. “Men of a Certain Age” looks like a great show-I definitely have to catch up on that one.

On the comedy side, I’m totally psyched that “Modern Family” was so well-recognized, getting a nod as Outstanding Comedy Series. Almost it’s entire adult cast was nominated for an acting honor-strangely with the exception of Ed O’Neill-ostensibly the star of the show, not to mention the actor who had to do the greatest acting stretch considering how identified he is with the iconic Al Bundy character. Other favorite shows of mine that got nods were “How I Met Your Mother” (including another acting nomination for the great Neil Patrick Harris) and “30 Rock”, although several members of both casts continue not to get the props they deserve (most notably Alison Hannigan on the former show and Tracy Morgan on the latter show). “Saturday Night Live” also scored big in the comedy supporting actress, with nods for the hilarious Kristen Wiig as well as guest hosts Tina Fey and Betty White, who has to be the sentimental favorite here.

Of course, “Glee” cleaned up like a mofo when it came time to announce the nominations, with nods for the series itself, as well as regulars Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer and Jane Lynch. Thanks to the nominations, I now realize that Mike O’Malley is the guy that plays Kurt’s dad! I knew that face looked familiar. The aforementioned NPH and Kristen Chenowith were also nominated for their guest turns on the hit Fox show.

You’ve also gotta smile at the fact that “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” got recognized with a nomination for Outstanding Variety Show, especially in light of NBC dogging him out. Although I was never a big Conan watcher, he is a funny dude (and seems like a nice guy besides) and he *was* done dirty. I’d love to see his acceptance speech should he win the award. It’ll be a memorable one.